C5 X7 DRL lamps

[aerodynamica]

Hi all, I replaced both front DRL bulbs a few months ago and if you don't already know, this is a front bumper off job and although tedious, was just long winded.

But yesterday I noticed the driver side lamp has stopped working again! What the heck!

I can reach way under the headlamp and touch the fitting but of course it can't be removed without the bumper off or at least loosened and moved a bit. touching it and giving it a prod in different directions makes no difference. I can't believe a bulb of that type would not last? I also notice the owners manual lists a fuse for the DRLs so there's not R & L fuse to check. The other one is working as usual and all other lamps in the driver side headlamp are functional.

Before I end up taking the bumper off again does anyone know of a known problem with the DRLs in the C5 such as a plug/ contact/ earth kind of thing?

Just a query really

[GiveMeABreak]

They can be a pig to replace. I replaced mine with LEDs and I did this without removing the bumper but it does require a feat of limb dislocation to do and some tools.

https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... 87#p464087

I must admit that I did go to the dealer to retrieve the original halogen DRLs, as they were fitted so tight from the factory it was impossible to remove them. After they retrieved them and replaced the bumper, I managed to refit the DRLs after some modification of the bulb housing later at home after a day or so.

They have to turn about a quarter of a turn in order to make contact, so if you haven't managed this, that can be the reason.

[wheeler]

They definitely dont need the bumper removed or loosened in any way to replace them, certainly not on a metal sprung version anyway, not sure how much difference the LDS reservoir etc makes to access? I replaced mines with LED’s that were in there for around 2 years till i got rid of it.
A good tip is to wipe a light smear of vaseline on the O rings before re fitting the bulb holders & this makes them much easier to get back out the next time.

[GiveMeABreak]

Don't forget there are different systems Wheeler. Both his and mine are hydraulic versions and room is tight!

If you have the Xenon headlamps from a pre-facelift vehicle like I did (even less room underneath the lamp unit), or pre-facelift halogens, then the DRLs are underneath the lamp unit.

Unless these have been previously loosened, it can be impossible to get a hand in, yet alone apply enough force to untwist and release them. As I said, mine were almost glued in and the workshop guys even had a job taking them out with the bumper off!, so that tells you how stiff these can be to remove.

I could only reach mine with pliers to reinsert them after I did the LED mod and they were fine after this until I too sold mine.

However once you have removed the originals and put in new ones, they should be a lot easier to remove second time round.

[aerodynamica]

Yes! Well the original ones were really tight to get out and actually the T40 torx had used actually broke the plastic fitting... I actually have LED replacements to go in. I have a cunning plan to weld a little rod on to the T40 torx bit to make a little wrench that's slim enough to get in there.... watch this space!

[aerodynamica]

You can see the LDS gubbins is taking up space but you can still reach in

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes I think I booked in for several skin grafts after I originally attempted mine before getting the dealer to remove them for me.

[wheeler]

Don't forget there are different systems Wheeler. Both his and mine are hydraulic versions and room is tight!

Unless these have been previously loosened, it can be impossible to get a hand in, yet alone apply enough force to untwist and release them.

I know I did mention that the LDS gubbins would make things more difficult. The twist bulb holders also have a torx fitting & i removed mines with a torx bit in a right angled driver. This was definitely the first time they had been out as previous to my ownership they were never even activated.

[aerodynamica]

It's such an awkward job I attempted to make a little tool for't..

T40 with a short bit of steel attached

Did it work?


Too right!

Still a real struggle with the ever present danger of dropping things to disappear intothe bumper..

It was actually quite easy to engage the tool and turn the bulb 90 deg but actually pulling it out was difficult and I resorted to needle nose pliers at 90degrees. They were tight despite only going on a few months ago.

Led replacements fitted with s bit of silicone grease on the rubber seal.

Here's how the tool locates (on the old bulb)

[GiveMeABreak]

Well done and no skin grafts either by the looks of things. I had to use pliers and string to prevent dropping them inside the depths.

[aerodynamica]

Thanks, and none of this bumper off nonsense.. let's see how long the ebay leds last..

[MattBLancs]

Love a hand crafted special tool!

(First time I misread your post as

"did it work? Too tight!"

And thought blinking heck even that didn't unscrew them!!)

Matt

[aerodynamica]

Love a hand crafted special tool!

(First time I misread your post as

"did it work? Too tight!"

And thought blinking heck even that didn't unscrew them!!)

Matt

Thing is, the original bulbs were tight and one actually broke.. that did necessitate the front bumper off

[Xantippa]

I´ve changed them many times on my C5 Exclusive 2.0HDi. I have small hands. I used torx-key with string attached to it and other end tied around my wrist, so no danger of loosing that key inside bumper. Last year I finally managed to fit facelift-headlights on my -09 car, so no more need to replace those expensive bulbs.

[aerodynamica]

I´ve changed them many times on my C5 Exclusive 2.0HDi. I have small hands. I used torx-key with string attached to it and other end tied around my wrist, so no danger of loosing that key inside bumper. Last year I finally managed to fit facelift-headlights on my -09 car, so no more need to replace those expensive bulbs.

I was considering sourcing the later headlights too. Initially was hoping to find a set of Xenons but I understand it isn't straightforward to fit them .

Anyway, I find the C5 headlamps perfectly adequate in the halogen version. I do hope these DRL leds last though because I don't want to have to frequently change them.. I'm not blessed with small hands..